“If you don't read the newspaper, you're uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you're mis-informed.” Mark Twain said this, and could just as well have been speaking about the Illinois media covering this week’s work by the General Assembly to negotiate with the governor on a budget.

This week, the Senate and the House both voted on measures to provide one-month funding for core state services to provide more time for negotiations for a full year budget. The governor’s response was that he would veto this offer as he has our full 2016 budget, with the exception of the education budget we sent him which he signed without one Republican voting for that bill.

The media’s coverage of these developments? That we failed to pass anything. This is totally inaccurate. The Senate passed a measure to shield Illinois' most vulnerable residents from the impact of Gov. Rauner's disastrous decision to veto most of the state budget the General Assembly sent to him last month.

SPRINGFIELD – Three new proposals covering Hepatitis C screenings, 3D mammograms and updating the way we approach vaccination in the state have passed the Senate. Senator John Mulroe (D-Chicago) sponsored the plans and acts as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Health.

· SB54 requires insurance agencies to cover tomosynthesis or 3D mammograms, which are more effective in diagnosing breast cancer due to the cross-sectional nature of the screening. It is also more effective at diagnosing small, hard-to-detect tumors as well as diagnosing through dense breast tissue. 3D mammograms often result in fewer callbacks and an overall less stressful screening experience for women.· SB661 requires healthcare providers to offer men and women considered to be at-risk for contracting or carrying Hepatitis C a one-time blood screening. Persons considered to be at-risk are born between 1945 and 1965. The bill does not prevent healthcare providers from offering the screening at any time.· SB1410 was drafted as a direct result of the January 2015 measles outbreak. The bill creates protections for individuals who may suffer adverse medical reactions to vaccinations as well as individuals seeking a medical or philosophical exemption. It additionally requires doctors administering exemption paperwork to explain the risks of skipping vaccinations to parents.

“Protecting the health of our state leads to greater productivity and ensures a brighter future,” Mulroe said. “These three measures are in line with that goal, and I implore the governor to keep that in mind as they cross his desk.”

SPRINGFIELD — Women should not face cost barriers when considering whether to undergo a more thorough, 3D imaging process that can more accurately detect breast cancer, say Illinois Senate Democrats as new legislation works its way through the General Assembly to address women’s health needs.

“Increased access to more thorough, more modern forms of medical technology will mean fewer of our mothers and daughters and sisters taken from us by breast cancer,” said Senator Linda Holmes, D-Aurora.

House Bill 3673, which passed the Illinois House in April, would require 3D mammograms to be covered under women’s comprehensive health insurance plans. A related proposal, Senate Bill 54, sponsored by State Sen. John Mulroe, D-Chicago, requires annual three dimensional mammograms to be covered under women’s insurance plans.

Currently, insurance companies must cover an annual, flat image scan at regular intervals for women over 40. Such scans can potentially miss abnormalities, particularly in women with denser breast tissue. Three dimensional scans find 40 percent more invasive cancers than 2D scans and better visualize any abnormalities, according to the American Cancer Society.

Using the newer method gives doctors a clearer view and could eliminate mistaken diagnoses, Mulroe said.

“Breast cancer is deadly and devastating to families. Early detection not only saves lives and the related cost of future treatment, but it also eliminates the anxiety women experience waiting for the call back date,” Mulroe said.

The measures have met with broad support among Senate Democrats.

“It is critically important that women have access to breast cancer screenings,” said Senator Iris Y. Martinez. “Women have a much better chance of surviving from breast cancer if it is detected early.”

“It’s always important to me to support legislation that improves women’s access to health care,” said Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-Chicago 16th), a co-sponsor of both measures. “Breast cancer is a leading killer of Illinois women, and early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment, so I applaud these efforts to connect all women – particularly those who are low-income – to regular screenings and the highest quality of care.”

“These proposals make cutting edge medical technology more accessible for more women,” said Senator Melinda Bush, D-Grayslake. “In the long run, that’s not just going to save money, it’s going to save the lives of our mothers and daughters.”

CHICAGO – Senator John Mulroe (D-Chicago) will hold a press conference today to discuss legislation that has passed the Senate and seeks to address the growing noise from O’Hare International Airport since 2013. Collaborating with Mulroe is Congressman Mike Quigley, Representative John D’Amico as well as many other state lawmakers, Chicago aldermen, suburban mayors, Cook County commissioners and the FAiR Coalition.

“The noise levels are unbearable for people and we are working hard to address those concerns,” Mulroe said. “This legislation was drafted with the intention of seeking a compromise with the airport and the residents in communities bordering the airport. I want there to be a little less talk and a little more action.”

Passed on April 16 from the Senate by a staggering majority, Senate Bills 636 and 637 act as companion pieces to address the noise concerns. SB636 would raise the number of active runways O’Hare could have from eight to 10, while SB637 stipulates that the existing runways must all remain active and at full capacity.

Prior to 2013, reliance on the existing runways diverted air traffic not only east-west but also on a diagonal pattern northeast-northwest. Since that time, the parallel east-west runways have moved to 97 percent capacity, while the diagonal runway’s traffic has dwindled to 3 percent.

“We need a fairer distribution of arrivals and departures among O’Hare runways to ease the flood of aircraft noise inundating our neighborhoods,” Rep. Quigley said. “I appreciate Senator Mulroe’s leadership and partnership as we continue to pursue every avenue that reduces noise without compromising safety.”

Senator Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge), while not present at the press conference, released the following written statement: “While I agree that a state-of-the-art and efficient O’Hare Airport is a key component to our area’s economy and transportation system, I firmly support expansion of noise and air pollution monitoring and greater public involvement in decision-making.”

In addition to the legislators, a family from Schiller Park, which borders O’Hare on the village’s northwest side, will testify to their experience with the noise levels prior to 2013 and since the opening of the most recent parallel runway.